LAS VEGAS, June 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM), a global leader in the battle against
climate change, today launched its 100-megawatt solar array, the
hospitality industry's largest directly sourced renewable
electricity project worldwide. The array's clean energy now
produces up to 90% of MGM Resorts' Las
Vegas daytime power needs, spanning 65 million square feet
of buildings across 13 properties and more than 36,000 rooms on the
Las Vegas Strip, including Bellagio, ARIA, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand
and The Mirage, among others.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8916951-mgm-resorts-international-launches-100-megawatt-solar-array/
For photo/videos of the Array's launch
event with Governor Sisolak, fact sheet and infographics, please
visit our digital media kit.
"With MGM Resorts' significant scale and resources, we're
positioned to make a meaningful difference in the fight against
climate change, and we recognize our responsibility to build a more
environmentally sustainable future," said Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and President, MGM Resorts.
"Today we're marking a significant step forward in our
environmental sustainability initiatives in Las Vegas and our long-term vision to protect
the planet and achieve an enduring, positive impact in our
communities worldwide."
The launch marks a milestone in MGM Resorts' long-term climate
strategy and significantly accelerates progress toward its 2025
goal to reduce the company's emissions by 45% per square foot. MGM
Resorts also is announcing two new goals it has developed in line
with guidance provided by the Science-based Targets Initiative, and
has submitted for consideration by the Initiative:
- Reduce absolute scope one and two[1] Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions 50% by 2030 (2019 base year)
- Source 100% renewable electricity in US and 80% globally by
2030
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak said, "MGM Resorts has long been
Nevada's largest private employer
and has shown a clear commitment to using their size and scale to
lead on important issues like climate change, renewable energy and
sustainability. This solar array is among the most significant
steps our industry has taken in terms of tackling climate change
and promoting renewable energy. Powering so much of the Strip with
clean, renewable energy sends a powerful message about Nevada's role as a national leader in
renewable energy and our commitment to fighting climate
change."
Located in the desert north of Las
Vegas, MGM Resorts' Mega Solar Array features 323,000 panels
arranged across 640 acres. The array's renewable electricity
production will be equivalent to the amount of power used by
approximately 27,000 average U.S. homes annually. MGM Resorts is
the sole user of the renewable electricity generated.
The array's development and launch follow multiple significant
efforts by MGM Resorts to achieve its long-term climate goals. MGM
Resorts' commitments to date include:
- Investing over $60 million in
energy efficiency in its U.S. properties from 2007 to 2019,
including major upgrades to energy-efficient lighting and heating
and air conditioning systems.
- Pursuing green building certification for all new property
developments since 2009. CityCenter - where ARIA and Vdara
resorts are located - earned six LEED[1] Gold certifications
from the U.S. Green Building Council when it opened in 2009 and
remains the world's largest privately funded LEED certified
development. MGM Springfield is the first private-sector
hospitality development to earn LEED Neighborhood Development
certification at the site level.
- Developing the 8.3-megawatt array at Mandalay Bay in 2015,
America's largest contiguous rooftop solar array on a convention
center.
- Transitioning to distribution-only service in its local utility
grid in 2016, allowing MGM Resorts to take control of its energy
future and accelerate use of renewable power.
The Mega Solar Array project was developed in partnership with
Invenergy – a leading privately held developer and operator of
sustainable energy solutions – and structured through a 20-year
Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). In early 2021, Invenergy sold a 75%
interest in the MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array to AEP Renewables, a
subsidiary of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), one of the
nation's largest electric companies. Invenergy Services, a
subsidiary of Invenergy, will provide Operations and Maintenance
and Balance of Plant services under a long-term agreement.
Through this 100-megawatt array and MGM Resorts' ambitious new
goals, the company further affirms its commitment to its
companywide social impact and sustainability platform, Focus on
What Matters. This platform articulates the company's approach to
making a positive impact on society. Focused on What Matters'
pillars include Fostering Diversity and Inclusion, Investing in Our
Communities and Protecting the Planet.
About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts
International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment
company with national and international locations featuring
best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and
conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment
experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and
retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences
through its suite of Las
Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses
31 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of
the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company's
50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online
gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and
partypoker. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in
Asia through the integrated resort
opportunity in Japan. Through its
"Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the
Planet" philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more
sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in
the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it
operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their
company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine's World's
Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at
www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on
Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
CONTACT: Natalie Mounier -
MGM@kirvindoak.com
1 Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from
owned or controlled sources such as natural gas used in
onsite boilers, or diesel for vehicles. Scope 2 emissions
are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy.
2 Leadership in Energy
& Environmental Design
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SOURCE MGM Resorts International